was a stanch three-master of 1700 tons, carrying eight guns and rifles, and was commanded by Captain Asa Walker.
Next to the Concord came the tiny but sprightly Petrel, of only 900 tons, and carrying but four guns. Her commander was Captain E. P. Wood. The Petrel looked almost too small to take part in a great battle, yet later on we will see her giving the best possible account of herself.
The last on the list of the fleet was the gunboat McCulloch, which was not, strictly speaking, a fighting craft, but a revenue cutter, used for carrying despatches from one boat to another and to shore. The McCulloch carried four light pieces, principally for defence, and was commanded by Captain Hobson, of the Revenue Marine Service.
And now what had brought this squadron out in the middle of the South China Sea, to the great wonder and astonishment—not to say thankfulness—of Larry and his down-east friend? In order to answer that question we shall have to take a dip into history—a brief dip, and one that I trust will not tire even such of my boy readers as desire a story to move along "lively like."
We have already learned how the battleship
